Hope Street Xchange was launched in 2017 with the vision of sparking innovation and growth in Sunderland City Centre by offering high specification office and event space. Nearly seven years later, we are delighted to witness the transformation of the city centre around us. Hope Street Xchange is not the only driver of this change, but it is proud to be part of it.
The east side of the building overlooks the dynamic Minister Quarter, where historic landmarks like Sunderland Minister, the Empire Theatre and The Peacock are complemented by new developments around Keel Square. The Holiday Inn has welcomed new neighbour’s such as the Keel Lounge and The Botanist. Further developments will further showcase the historic and architectural heritage of the city centre, as well as providing new opportunities for leisure, retail and hospitality.
The rest of Sunderland’s city centre is undergoing a transformation that aims to make it more attractive, vibrant and sustainable. Some of the highlights include:
– The Riverside Sunderland project, which will create a new mixed-use neighbourhood with homes, offices, shops, restaurants and cultural venues along the banks of the River Wear.
– The Culture House, which will be a new landmark building that will house the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, the Library and Local Studies Centre, and a new auditorium for live performances.
– The City Hall, which will be a modern and accessible civic hub that will bring together council services, health and wellbeing facilities, and community spaces under one roof.
– The Northern Spire Bridge, which is a stunning new crossing that connects the north and south sides of the city and provides a new gateway for visitors and residents.
These are just some of the examples of how Sunderland’s city centre is changing for the better. The vision is to create a place that is welcoming, inclusive and prosperous for everyone who lives, works and visits there, goals which Hope Street Xchange has shared from the very beginning in 2017.
Inside the building, it’s been heartening to see how businesses have formed, grown and achieved within its walls. This is a great metaphor for the change happening in the city and really shows what’s possible in this regenerated cityscape.
Hope Street Xchange remains contemporary and dynamic, itself able to adapt and change in the face of a developing city and business community. In 2023, we’ve added a new event space, The Gallery, and invested in new audio-visual technology. It’s very much a building shaped by the people who use it and will continue to be a beacon for positive change in Sunderland City Centre for the years to come.
